CARSON — With the MLS regular season on pause during the FIFA international break, the Galaxy found competition in Liga MX’s Cruz Azul on Sunday.
The friendly, played at Dignity Health Sports Park, was played before a predominantly pro-Cruz Azul crowd, but gave Galaxy coach Greg Vanney a chance to get some key pieces back onto the field and give a chance for some younger players to get some valuable experience.
Thanks to a pair of first-half goals, Cruz Azul prevailed 2-1.
Perhaps the biggest return was forward Joseph Paintsil. Paintsil, who last played in an MLS game Sept. 5, came on as a second-half sub in the 74th minute. Paintsil had been sidelined with a thigh injury.
Paintsil capped his return with one of his patented runs through the Cruz Azul defense before slotting the ball in for the goal.
“He’ll have another good week of training and then we’ll map out what that next busy week looks like,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of Paintsil. “Obviously, three games in six days is tough for anyone, much less a guy who’s coming back from being off for several weeks because of injuries.
“It’s good to get him going today (Sunday). It’s good for his confidence to hit the back of the net, so I think all of those things are positive.”
Elijah Wynder, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury, made his return, coming on as a second-half sub. It was his first game action since Aug. 15. Wynder was on the bench in the Galaxy’s 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids, Sept. 26, but did not see any time.
Maya Yoshida, Emiro Garces, Lucas Sanabria and Pablo Ruiz were other established pieces that saw time. As Vanney said Thursday, the goal of Sunday’s friendly was to get some guys minutes before the regular season resumes.
“We need everybody ready to go,” Vanney said Thursday. “Down the stretch, we’re going to need everybody ready to go, you never know who’s going to get balled upon.”
Cruz Azul’s Luka Romero opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
The Galaxy will return to MLS play Sunday and will immediately face a busy, important stretch. The Galaxy will start Sunday on the road against St. Louis CITY SC, then return home for a Wednesday clash with the Portland Timbers, followed by a Saturday home date with San Diego FC.
The Galaxy currently sit in the ninth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference (36 points).
Mason Vanney, son of Galaxy coach Greg Vanney, started at right back and went 60 minutes. Mason Vanney plays for the Galaxy’s second team, Ventura County FC.
Lozano injured
Chucky Lozano departed the Mexican national team camp after suffering a hamstring injury. Since joining the Galaxy on loan from San Diego FC, Lozano has made eight appearances, with a goal and an assist.
Lozano started and played 64 minutes in Mexico’s game against Colombia on Sept. 26. He didn’t make an appearance in the Sept. 29 game against Peru.
“I think he comes back tonight and he’ll be back in tomorrow (Monday),” Vanney said. “Get the MRI results and then just start a process to try to get him back as soon as possible.
“I don’t think it’s really serious, but at the same time, hamstrings are always tricky and they don’t get bet better over night, so I don’t know exactly how long it’s going to be yet, but we’ll find out as we get him in.”